With a track record spanning over two decades, our esteemed team of Manhattan car accident and injury lawyers at David Resnick & Associates, P.C., have been instrumental in guiding individuals and families across New York County to comprehend their legal rights and options in the aftermath of life-altering incidents caused by negligent drivers.
According to the NYPD, there were 16,827 vehicle accidents in just Manhattan — not counting any other boroughs — last year alone, accounting for 17% of all crashes in New York City.
Unfortunately, the lead cause of vehicle collisions in Manhattan is distracted driving, which is entirely preventable. These and other negligent drivers leave our clients injured, with mounting medical bills and often unable to work, or worse — grieving the tragic and preventable loss of a loved one. This is why we are here.
Our Manhattan personal injury lawyers use our extensive legal experience, skills, and resources to fight for the full and fair recovery needs of clients throughout New York. If you have been hurt in a crash caused by a negligent driver or have lost a loved one to the same, contact our trusted car accident attorneys in Manhattan today for a free consultation to discuss your legal rights and options.
What are The Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in Manhattan?
Manhattan is densely populated and has high vehicular and pedestrian traffic, especially during peak hours. The sheer number of vehicles on the road increases the likelihood of accidents. In addition, Manhattan is home to various road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, taxis, buses, and delivery trucks. The mix of different types of vehicles and modes of transportation increases the potential for accidents, particularly at intersections and crosswalks.
Unfortunately, most of these crashes are preventable.
According to the NYPD, the most common reasons for Manhattan traffic collisions for the most recent month were (in order of frequency) the following:
- Driver inattention or distraction
- Following too closely
- Improper passing or lane change
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Passing too closely
- Backing up unsafely
- Unsafe lane change
- Disregarding traffic control device
- Speeding or unsafe speed
- Driver inexperience
- Turning improperly
- Alcohol impairment
- Aggressive driving or road rage
If you or someone you love has been injured or lost their life in a vehicle collision caused by negligence, contact our skilled Manhattan car accident attorneys today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case and how we can help you pursue the liable driver for your full financial recovery.
How Can The Manhattan Car Accident Attorneys at David Resnick & Associates, P.C., Help With My Injury Claim?
If you have been injured in a Manhattan vehicle collision, you probably have many questions about what happens next. The first thing that typically comes to mind is, who will pay your medical bills? How can you make up the lost income while recovering from your injuries? What happens if you can’t return to work in the same capacity you worked before the crash?
We have answers.
Partnering with our skilled Manhattan auto accident lawyers at David Resnick & Associates, P.C., you can count on us to:
- Thoroughly investigate the accident and determine its causes.
- Identify all parties responsible for the accident and your damages.
- Document your damages and how the accident has affected your life.
- Aggressively pursue maximum compensation for you.
- Stand up for your rights as an accident victim.
Our dedicated car accident attorneys in Manhattan can help ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses resulting from the accident. Contact us today to receive the specialized, guided assistance you need to pursue the best outcome for your unique claim.
What Type of Compensation Can I Pursue After a Car Accident With Injuries in Manhattan?
New York is a no-fault insurance state, meaning that accident victims generally turn to their insurance for coverage after a New York traffic collision. However, Section 5102 of New York’s State Insurance Law states that you can step outside the no-fault system and pursue compensation from the party liable for the accident if you suffer a severe injury.
A severe injury is defined under the law as:
- Loss of limb
- Loss of function of a body organ or system
- Bone fracture
- Physical disfigurement
- Loss of an infant in utero
- Death
As a personal injury victim, you may be able to recover compensation for the economic and non-economic damages you suffer, including:
- Repair or replacement of your vehicle.
- Current and past medical bills.
- Medical expenses you expect to incur in the future.
- Lost wages while you are hospitalized or recovering from your injuries.
- Potential future loss of being able to earn a living.
- Pain and suffering.
- Emotional distress.
Our experienced auto accident attorneys in Manhattan can evaluate the specifics of your case, including the circumstances of the crash, the extent of your injuries, and the available evidence. We can then advise you on the strength of your case and the potential compensation you may be entitled to—starting with a free, no-obligation case assessment. Call us today to learn more.
How Long Do I Have to File A Car Accident & Injury Claim in New York?
New York’s statute of limitations generally gives accident victims three years from the accident date to file their lawsuit against a defendant. However, you will have much less time to file a claim with your own insurance company or claim against a government agency.
In addition, the quicker you contact our Manhattan auto accident and injury law firm, the sooner we can begin preserving crucial evidence to support your claim that may be lost or destroyed over time. From the moment we take your case, we will conduct a thorough investigation into the accident to gather evidence supporting your claim, including obtaining accident reports, collecting witness statements, analyzing medical records, and consulting with experts, such as accident reconstruction specialists, when necessary.
Contacting our Manhattan car accident attorneys as early as possible can help ensure your rights are protected and your claim is submitted thoroughly and on time to produce the best outcome.
What Steps Should I Take After a Manhattan Car Accident to Protect My Injury Claim?
After a Manhattan car accident, there are steps that you can take immediately and in the days and weeks following the accident to protect your claim.
Collect Information
At the accident scene, collect the following information:
- Information to identify the other vehicle’s driver, including the driver’s license and insurance information and the car’s year, make, model, and license plate number.
- The contact information and brief statements for any witnesses who saw the accident.
Document The Scene
The accident scene will not be preserved for long, so you want to act fast and document the following with your cell phone, if possible:
- The exact location of the accident and the position of the vehicles.
- The cross streets near where the accident occurred.
- Damage to each vehicle and any other property damage.
- Skid marks, broken car parts, separated tire tread, or other debris left from the accident.
- The weather and traffic conditions.
- Any traffic devices or signs that may be relevant to the cause of the accident.
Seek Medical Care Immediately
After a car accident, your health and well-being are top priorities. Even if you believe your injuries are minor, it’s essential to have a thorough medical evaluation to ensure that you receive appropriate treatment and care.
Ignoring or downplaying symptoms can lead to long-term health issues or chronic pain.
Some injuries sustained in car accidents, such as whiplash, concussions, or internal injuries, may not manifest symptoms right away. Seeking medical attention promptly allows healthcare professionals to assess your condition and detect any injuries early, even if symptoms are not immediately apparent.
Delaying medical treatment can lead to complications and exacerbate injuries. For example, internal bleeding or organ damage may worsen over time if left untreated, leading to serious health complications or even death. Prompt medical care can prevent these complications from occurring.
Seeking medical care creates a documented record of your injuries and their connection to the accident. Medical records and documentation from healthcare providers serve as crucial evidence when pursuing an injury claim or seeking compensation for damages. Without timely medical treatment, proving the extent and severity of your injuries may be more challenging.
Don’t Talk to Their Insurance Company Without a Lawyer
It is common for insurance companies of other drivers to contact accident victims after a traffic collision. They do this to get as much information as possible from the victim that they can ultimately use against them to deny or minimize the value of a claim. Therefore, you should not talk to the other driver’s insurance company or agree to a recorded statement without a lawyer protecting your interests.
Be Careful About What You Say to Others, Too
Insurance adjusters and defense attorneys may also canvas your neighborhood, interview your friends, or monitor your social media accounts to find inconsistencies in what you say about the accident or your injuries. Therefore, you will want to keep information about the accident, your injuries, and communication with your lawyer private.
You also want to minimize your contact with the other driver and avoid saying “sorry.” While this may seem like the polite thing to say, the slightest acknowledgment of guilt can be construed as an admission of fault.
Call Our Manhattan Car Accident Law Firm For a Free Case Review
If you were injured in a car accident, a Manhattan car accident attorney from David Resnick & Associates, P.C. can help. David Resnick began representing clients from the law firm he founded in 1998 after working in large law firms where he saw a lack of personal care, attention, and communication with clients. He has shaped the firm to be responsive to client needs and focus on more individual care for each client.
David Resnick and his team are committed to vigorously defending your rights as an accident victim and demanding maximum compensation from all parties at fault for your Manhattan traffic collision.
Contact our skilled Manhattan car accident and injury lawyers today to learn more about how we can help. We work on a contingency fee, so we collect no fees for our work unless and until we recover compensation on your behalf.